Dear Parents-
As a faith-filled community, we have arrived at Holy Week, and during this solemn week, we pause and reflect on the enormity of the events that take place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. In this one week, we commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ, we are given the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders, and we celebrate with great joy the resurrection of our Lord!
|
|
On Saturday, we confirmed our 8th grade students. Archbishop Broglio celebrated the Mass and conferred the gifts of the Holy Spirit on our students. Congratulations to all the confirmandi, from SJS and Religious Education! Please keep all these amazing young men and women in your prayers.
Our COVID update this week, case data remains high, jumping to 105.8 cases per 100,000 which is considered a high level of community transmission, additionally, the percent positivity rate in Fairfax County is up almost an entire percentage point to 5.8% over the last 7 days. Neighboring Loudoun County has an unchanged positivity rate of 6.9%, and in Prince William County the 7.8% positivity rate represents an uptick over last week. Additionally, there are now 123 known cases of the UK B.1.1.7 COVID variant in the Commonwealth, and 26 cases of the South Africa B.1.351 variant, as of March 25. No other variants have been detected at this time. VDH asks all Virginians to recommit to following ALL mitigation strategies. Current data is showing an increase in cases and with the Easter holiday fast approaching, please be COVID-safe...wear the mask, keep your distance, and do not gather indoors!
School will close Thursday, April 1, at 11:30 for Easter break. Virtual school week begins Monday, April 12, and we will see in-person learners back here on Monday, April 19 as we countdown the rest of the school year!
On behalf of Mrs. Carson, myself and the faculty and staff of SJS, I wish all of our St. Joseph families a very blessed Holy Week, and a joyous Easter. Take comfort in the fact that God is in charge.
Alleluia! He is Risen!
Please let me know if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance.
Go to Joseph
(Gen 41:55)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
|
|
Early Dismissal and No School |
|
April 1: 11:30am dismissal (In-person and Distance Learners)
Afternoon Extended Day closes at 3:00pm
April 2-11: Easter vacation
|
|
Virtual Week: April 12-16 |
|
Based on the survey sent out last week, SJS will have a distance learning week for all students April 12-16. This allows families to quarantine before in-person learners return to school.
If a student needs to borrow a Chromebook during the distance learning week, please complete THIS FORM to request a computer.
**Deadline to request a Chromebook is 5:00pm TODAY!**
|
|
Catholic Sports/NVJCYO
The Fairfax County Health Department along with CDC recognize that while the benefits of student athletics include exercise, peer competition, and socialization, athletics continue to pose a significant risk for COVID-19 transmission even when mitigation efforts are followed. COVID-19 is transmitted through close contact and through the breathing in of infected respiratory droplets, which are present in greater quantity and spread farther during physical activity or exertion.
Given the recent significant increase, per FCHD, in the number of COVID-19 cases associated with student athletics, along with evidence of transmission occurring among teams, SJC/SJS will not sponsor parish sports this spring. We thank you for your respect and understanding of this decision.
Peace and good!
Father Tom and Mrs. Rutledge
|
|
Spring uniforms will begin when students return from Easter vacation on Monday, April 12.
|
|
Congratulations to Our Cub Scout
2021 Pinewood Derby and Bake-Off Winners!
St Joseph Cub Scout Pack 913 had over 50 participants at our 30th annual Pinewood Derby competition. This year’s derby was virtual. Congratulations to the following Scout winners:
AOLs (5th Grade) – Design 1st Oliver S.
Webelos (4th Grade) - Design 1st Thomas B., 2nd Max G., 3rd Ansul C.
Bears (3rd Grade) – Design 1st John S, 2nd Brett K., 3rd Luke L. Bake-Off 1st Charlie G.
Wolves (2nd Grade) – Design 1st Davis P., 2nd Robert D., 3rd Noah L. Bake-Off 1st Noah L.
Tigers (1st Grade) – Design 1st Declan W, 2nd Jack M., 3rd Christian A. Bake-Off 1st Bennett M.; 2nd Jack M.
Lions (Kindergarten) – Design 1st Henry D., 2nd Cameron O., 3rd Ethan T. Bake-Off 1st Henry D.; 2nd Grant M., 3rd Cormac C.
Siblings – Design 1st Vesper S., 2nd Addison W., 3rd Molly G.
|
|
GIRLS BASKETBALL ON ESPNU!
The PVI girls basketball team will play on ESPNU Friday, April 2 at 10:30 AM vs Lake Highland Prep in the semi-finals of the GEICO Nationals!! The Lady Panthers are one of four teams invited to play in Fort Myers, Florida to compete in the prestigious GEICO National Championship. With a win on Friday, PVI will have the opportunity to play in the national championship game on ESPN 2 Saturday at 10:00 AM. Make sure to tune in and cheer them on!!!!
Best of luck to SJS alums Alyssa Costigan and Fiona Hastick, SJS Class of 2018 (Juniors at St. Paul VI)!
|
|
Parents are asked to meet their children who are walking home, in the municipal lot at the corner of Vine and Center Street.
Please do not block traffic on Vine Street or attempt to pick up your children as they walk along Vine Street.
|
|
Mrs. Rutledge and Mrs. Carson invite you to join along
for conversation and camaraderie as we begin
our second book
Discipleship Parenting -Planting the Seeds of Faith by Kim Cameron Smith
First meeting planned for Wednesday, April 14, at 7:00PM.
Topic: Introduction and Chapter 1
“In Discipleship Parenting, I provide tools and insights to help parents foster seven ideal growing conditions in the home: Love, Balance, Play, Merciful Discipline, Empathy, Radiant Faith, A Strong Marriage.” - Kim Cameron-Smith
The goal of the book club is building community and helping each other through a pandemic. It is not intended to be therapy or family counseling. Please seek the assistance of licensed practitioners if needed.
|
|
Friendly reminders:
● If a household family member or child is sick, all siblings must stay home until an official diagnosis has been made by their healthcare provider before sending the siblings back to school.
● If a household family member or someone whom members of your household were in close contact with is being tested and waiting for their test result, please keep your children home until you receive a negative result before sending them back to school.
● If you travel or participate in a social gathering event with people outside your cohort, please quarantine for 7 days if tested on day 5 to return to school with a negative test on day 8 OR quarantine for 10 days to return to school on day 11; assuming everyone is symptom free
● If a household family member has to quarantine due to travel, please have the children go on DL during the quarantine period to prevent an unintended exposure from your children to their classmates/teachers during the quarantine period assuming the household family member ends up becoming ill.
All travelers (domestic & international) are required to quarantine upon return from your travel. You may choose to quarantine for 7 days and get tested on day 5 and return to school on day 8 with a negative result OR if not tested, quarantine for 10 days upon return and return to school on day 11; assuming every household member remains symptom/fever free. Travelers who test positive or develop symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate and follow public health recommendations.
Students have to be 24 hours symptom/fever free without any over -the-counter medication before they can return to school. It is better to air on the side of caution, when in doubt, please keep your child home until they are evaluated and cleared to return to school. The nurse needs to be contacted for an update before sending the siblings back to school.
|
|
Reservations for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday Masses
Mass Reservation Required
|
|
Reservations for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday Masses - Required
Making a Mass Reservation
Step One:
Review Directives – It is important that you review the list of Directives for Phase III Reintegration Plan prior to making your reservation.
Step Two:
Make your Reservation – No one will be admitted to the church for Mass without a reservation.
If you have Internet access, use the following email, rsvp@sjcherndon.org to make your reservation for Mass. Note, if you do not have Internet access, you may call the parish office (703-880-4355 or 703-880-4304) and a member of the staff will make a reservation for you.
You will receive an email confirming that you have a reservation at a particular Mass with the number of people attending. Please bring this email with you to the Mass for entry to the Church. The entire number of people attending with you must be present to enter into the Church as a family.
|
|
Stay Connected!
SJS Mobile App, Twitter and Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
Don't forget to follow the official St. Joseph Catholic School Facebook page (sjschoolva), Twitter account (@sjschoolva), and download the mobile app from the App Store (St. Joseph Catholic School, VA)
|
|
750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
